Key losses in the lineup have led to struggles in two straight defeats

Befitting a coach who embraces a no-excuses mentality, Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury hates talking injuries — and he usually doesn’t.

He’s relented just a little bit this week, which is more an acknowledgement of reality than anything else.

The Tech defense that will take the field against Kansas State for the final home game this season at Jones AT&T Stadium will be much different, in both personnel and effectiveness, from the unit that started Big 12 play.

Starting safety J.J. Gaines suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last month. By necessity, Tech pulled the redshirt from freshman defensive back Justis Nelson (Dallas Christian) early in the Oklahoma State loss.

Kingsbury acknowledged the difficulty in replacing upperclassmen.

“But our young guys have to step up,” Kingsbury said. “When they’re put in position to make plays, they have to make plays. So there are no excuses. It’s just next guy up.

“In November in college football, that’s part of the game. You’re going to have attrition. You just have to find ways to deal with it.”

Tech (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) is still trying to find a way. The defense played a key role in seven straight wins to open the season, especially the early, tone-setting 20-10 win over TCU.

Shorthanded in the last two games, the defense has allowed 558 yards rushing in losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

“Early in the year, we had that chemistry,” defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt told reporters this week. “Now there are some new faces and sometimes when you have multiple guys out it takes awhile for guys to really step up. We’re learning on the run right now.”

Tech was at its best being physical and swarming the ball. Lately, there’s been hesitation and missed tackles, best summed up by one play against Oklahoma State.

On a quarterback draw, Clint Chelf eluded one diving tackle attempt and then went 67 yards with no defender within 10 yards. And he’s not even the Cowboys’ running quarterback.

Part of the reason has to do with experience. Another is knowing your teammates.

“I think that has to do with us popping gaps and not trusting the guy next to you,” defensive tackle Kerry Hyder said. “So I feel like we have to believe in the guy next to you and know he’s going to be there for you and make that tackle.

“We’re trying to do other people’s jobs. We need to focus on our job, and [if you] do what you need to do, everything will come together.”

Kansas State will challenge Tech not only with running backs but with multidimensional quarterback Daniel Sams, who has run for 595 yards and eight touchdowns.

November is also when the Wildcats have surged under Bill Snyder and when Tech is 1-8 since 2011. Kingsbury isn’t panicking.

“I’ve said all along, we haven’t played our best game, and I think that’s what keeps this group excited,” Kingsbury said. “When we do put it together, we can be pretty good.”

Special contributor Mike Graham in Lubbock contributed to this report.

Follow Chuck Carlton on Twitter at @ChuckCarltonDMN.

Sudden drop-off

Breaking down Texas Tech’s defense the first seven games of the season (all wins) vs. the last two games (losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State):

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